Whose Prerogative Is It?

The view in front of Chakotay was mesmerizing. The two suns of this system were slowly rising, throwing soft patterns all over the field in which Chakotay was standing. In the distance one could hear the quiet ripple of water, filtering through the early hours of morning.

Voyager's crew had come here to resupply their food stock, which had been low for quite some time now. Unfortunately for them, the region of space they had been traveling through hadn't been overcrowded with M-class planets. They had traveled for several long weeks until they had found a planet that possessed everything they needed. The inhabitants of that planet, however, had been unwilling to trade for any supplies. After hours and hours of discussing the situation with them, Voyager had resumed its course home, without the so urgently needed food.

Then, after another two weeks or so of searching, they had literally stumbled over this beautiful M-class planet. And besides its beauty, it had everything one could wish for, and above all it was uninhabited. Chakotay, Tuvok, and Paris, together with two other away teams, had beamed down to the surface, gathering all supplies. They had even found some minerals that could be used in Engineering.

As the task had been completed, Captain Janeway had granted her agitated crew some shore leave, even gone as far as to take some herself. The entire senior staff had been surprised, but above all Chakotay had been dumbfounded. Kathryn Janeway abandoning her ship and work for two days voluntarily? Impossible, or so he had thought. Chakotay, knowing her habit of working too hard for far too long, had prepared himself for another of their major arguments. But none had come, instead she had even asked Chakotay to accompany her down to the surface. Him, of all people!

So now Chakotay was on cloud number seven, trying to find a good place for their planned picnic. The field looked promising but they would be too much in public. There were, however, many other places on this planet where they could have their picnic.

Chakotay followed the sound of water he had heard earlier, until he reached a beautiful mini waterfall. The water was falling into a crystal clear lake. Around it was almost only thick woods except for a clearing near the waterfall. His decision made, Chakotay would take his Captain here. They would be alone, could talk, and it was well hidden in the woods. With the possible exception of Tuvok, no one would bother them for no one would find the place easily. Even Chakotay himself had had to clear his mind and concentrate really hard before he had been able to pinpoint the location of this little place. Since Tuvok had a better sense of hearing than the rest of the crew, he might follow the sound of the water also.

Despite his anticipation it was only morning, so Chakotay figured he might as well take a swim in the lake. He shed his uniform and went into the water in the nude. After all he was alone and no one would see him. The water was surprisingly warm, surrounding his body completely. Chakotay dove under water, enjoying the feeling of being one with the nature. His father had often told him to respect his environment and all life in it. In those days, Chakotay hadn't listened. He had been more fascinated by space, starships, and new species. He had had no sense for the traditions of his people.

Today it was different, more or less the other way around. Chakotay would gladly settle on a planet, best of all on Earth or Dorvan, if he got the chance to do so. His life on Voyager wasn't that bad, on the contrary. Chakotay had friends, a place to come home to, a better life than in the Maquis. Yet he missed the companionship of a woman, the simple joy of being loved by her and loving her. Well, the latter he already had, though it hadn't always been a joy. Often enough it had hurt as well. The last time, however, had just been a happy one. Chakotay and Kathryn had gotten along quite well. There had been no major arguments, no tense or awkward moments. Only a friendly atmosphere had surrounded them.

Thinking of Kathryn while he was under water made Chakotay forget to hold his breath for one moment. So his head broke the surface and he gasped for air. Not once did he notice the small figure in the woods, holding his uniform in its hand. Only as he was about to get out of the lake did he realize that his clothes were missing. His eyes were searching the rocks around the lake when he caught sight of a bright . . . something in the wood. Chakotay couldn't quite tell what or who it was.

"Who's there?"

The familiar laughter of a woman greeted him; the small figure came out of its hiding place.

Kathryn was approaching him deliberately slowly, knowing full well how embarrassing it must be for him. Although she also was curious as to what he would do without his clothes or a towel. As it seemed, he wasn't going to do anything. Chakotay just looked utterly shocked and confused. First, he hadn't believed anyone would find him or look for him in the first place. Second, it had to be Kathryn of all people and above all she held his uniform in her hand.

"You know, Chakotay," she couldn't help teasing him, "The best part of being a woman is the prerogative to have a little fun . . . I'd say it was worth the try." Kathryn laughed.

"Very funny, Kathryn. Now give me back my clothes."

Kathryn laughed even harder. Then, from one second to the next, she stopped and dropped his clothing. Piece by piece, she began to peel out of her own, revealing a black swimsuit. The look on Chakotay's face was priceless. The anger that had begun to build inside him was replaced by . . . something else. Shock? Of course. Desire? Definitely. But most of all the joy of being together with the woman he loved, even if it wasn't the way he wanted it to be.

Kathryn walked to him, then stopped and reached down to their clothes, mixed up in the grass. She took swimming trunks from somewhere and threw them to Chakotay. "I think you'll need these."

While he put them on Chakotay couldn't help but wonder how Kathryn could have known that he had gone swimming. Deciding that he could ask her later, he pushed the thought out of his mind. Instead Chakotay fully concentrated on the sight in front of him.

Kathryn tested the temperature of water with her toes first, before she went in completely. She dove under water only to come up in direct proximity to Chakotay. His next move, however, she hadn't anticipated. The moment she was within Chakotay's reach, he lifted her over his head and made himself ready to throw her into the water.

"Don't!" she shrieked.

"But Kathryn . . . pay backs are so much fun . . ." And he threw her.

Kathryn made ungraceful contact with the surface of the lake and went under water. Seconds later, she surfaced with her hair plastered to her face, gasping for air. Pushing her hair out of her face, Kathryn considered her next move. Chakotay was distracted for he was laughing really hard. His eyes were shut and he was crying, so hard did he laugh.

Chakotay was entirely unprepared as he felt soft lips pressing against his. Due to the initial shock he only opened his eyes at first, but he quickly got past it and returned the favor.

Kathryn had just meant the kiss to be another pay back for throwing her into the water, to gain tactical advantage and then knock him off his feet. But now, as Chakotay's lips were moving against her own she had no intention of breaking the contact too soon. Instead she was relishing the feeling of being so close to Chakotay, slowly exploring his mouth.

*

The warm afternoon sun was shining down on two figures, sleeping in the grass near the lake. Their long stay in the lake had drained them of all energy. Now Chakotay's head was comfortably resting in Kathryn's lap, her hands were still in his hair.

Kathryn was the first to wake, slowly and carefully sitting up so as not to wake Chakotay in the process. She took her time to watch him thoroughly while he was sleeping. His face had an expression of utter peace, something she hadn't even seen on New Earth. His entire posture spoke of calm and contentment. And then, of course, there was his gorgeous physique. His well but not over muscled body, his flat stomach, his soft black hair . . . his overly sexy tattoo . . .

Chakotay stirred in his sleep, obviously aware on a subconscious level of her extensive observation of him. His left eye opened to a smiling Kathryn. He stretched demonstratively, then opened his eyes and smiled up to her.

"Found something interesting to watch?"

"I'd say so, yes." Then her expression changed to mock seriousness and Kathryn said in her best Captain's voice. "Sit up."

"Why?" He didn't move a bit.

"Because I want to kiss you and it's kind of difficult with you lying in my lap."

In a split second Chakotay sat up, smiling like the cat who caught the canary.

"Oh, I'm sorry . . . this was way too slow. Maybe next time." Kathryn stood and started running. Staying so close to Chakotay wasn't a good thing to do, if the twinkle in his eyes was an indicator to what was to come next. But instead of chasing after her, Chakotay's mind figured out a more wicked idea.

Kathryn had already run a few hundred meters before she realized that Chakotay wasn't following her. That was when she caught sight of him, standing where she had put their clothes earlier.

"He wouldn't dare . . ." she said to herself. Chakotay waved at her, and disappeared in blue light. In disbelief Kathryn stared at the place where he had been only seconds before. "Apparently, he would . . ."

*

Chakotay had materialized in transporter room one and dismissed the Ensign on duty. He was waiting for her call of what he was sure would come. The only thing he had left for Kathryn was her combadge. He started counting.

"Five . . . Four . . . Three . . . Two . . . One . . ."

"Janeway to Chakotay."

"Chakotay here."

"You'd better beam down those damn clothes, Mister . . ."

"Now, Kathryn," he began sweetly. " It's whose prerogative to have a little fun?"

A moment of silence followed. The calm before the storm.

"CHA-KO-TAY!"

THE END

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